Science & Technology Action Committee

STAC’s Statement on the National Science Board Dismissal

American companies are already at the forefront of robotics innovation—from last-mile delivery to elder care and disaster response. As Chairman @RepBrianBabin highlighted earlier today, U.S. industry recognizes this opportunity and is working to build the future of robotics.

A new analysis shows American science is shrinking and the data is stark. NIH competitive grants are down >50% year-over-year and NIH-funded projects dropped 15% in FY25. Without sustained federal investment in our scientific enterprise, the U.S. risks losing its competitive edge

As @NASA puts it, Artemis II is just the “opening act” for sustained exploration of the Moon and beyond. That future depends on decades of research and continued investment in S&T. Read about the historical mission and future of U.S. in space @SPACEdotcom tinyurl.com/ms9n3bfh

China has surpassed the US in total R&D investment ($1.03T in 2024), per @OECD. The implications for US policy are immediate. Public R&D is one of the highest-returning federal investments, yet proposed cuts move in the opposite direction.@AAUniversities⬇️ aau.edu/newsroom/leadi…

A new op-ed from @ResearchAmerica grant recipient JP Flores explores why scientists must engage directly with communities, especially in an era where misinformation spreads fast.. Read more in @Sci_politic sciencepolitics.org/2026/03/18/wer…

STAC Statement on the President’s FY2027 Budget Request

A piece from STAC member Harvey Fineberg in @PNASNews offers a sharp look at what it will take to revive U.S. science leadership. Key point: flat funding isn’t enough. The U.S. needs to invest in talent, prioritize key technologies and rebuild public trust.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…

@TheAtlantic examines the growing risk that China could surpass the U.S. as the world’s leading scientific power. For a deeper dive on the data behind this shift, check out STAC’s one-pager on China’s strategy to win the global technology race 👉sciencetechaction.org/wp-content/upl…

While U.S. research struggles, a different pattern is emerging overseas, @andersen writes. Is China on the verge of becoming the next scientific superpower? theatlantic.com/science/2026/0…

A new survey highlighted by @statnews shows many NIH-funded labs scaling back research, delaying projects, and struggling to retain talent. Sustained, predictable funding is critical to protecting the next generation of scientific discovery. statnews.com/2026/03/19/nih…

"China is fully committed to achieving its 'Space Dream' and will leverage all resources to achieve the goal of becoming a global leader in space." - Mr. Dave Cavossa (@csf_space)

An analysis by STAC members highlights a turning point in global science leadership. China may soon lead in public R&D funding and could surpass the U.S. in basic science within a decade. The moment calls for renewed U.S. investment. From @Nature ⬇️ nature.com/articles/d4158…

Research funding from @NIH generated $94B in economic activity in 2025, a $2.57 return for every $1 invested, supporting nearly 391,000 jobs nationwide. Biomedical research fuels innovation and local economies. Read more from @Forbes ⬇️ forbes.com/sites/michaelt…

The next leap in scientific discovery won’t just come from AI, it will come from people. @DOE says the goal is to double the productivity of science R&D spending, alongside new university partnerships focused on hands-on training for the future workforce.

.@NASA is strengthening the Artemis program as America prepares to return astronauts to the Moon. This initiative underscores how sustained investment in S&T supports innovation, strengthens the research ecosystem, and helps maintain U.S. leadership. 🚀 nasa.gov/directorates/e…

The BIOTech Caucus announced its first-ever legislative endorsements, backing the National Biotechnology Initiative Act and the Biomanufacturing Excellence Act. Momentum is building to strengthen U.S. biotech leadership. More from @RepHoulahan & @RepBice🔗houlahan.house.gov/news/documents…

America’s competitiveness in the global technology race is back on the congressional agenda. Last week, a bipartisan group of Senators reintroduced the Future of AI Innovation Act to expand @NIST’s AI standards work and strengthen R&D coordination. @axios⬇️axios.com/2026/02/26/sen…

STEM jobs are growing faster than non-STEM jobs in the U.S. Today, 36 million Americans—1 in 4 workers—are in STEM roles. Sustaining this momentum requires stronger education pathways and retention across the talent pipeline. New analysis from @NSF_NSB ⬇️ ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20261/…

China’s 1999 higher ed expansion boosted U.S. STEM growth. International student flows are tightly tied to American innovation and economic competitiveness. In order to maintain its innovation edge, the U.S. needs a plan. More from @StanfordSCCEI👇 sccei.fsi.stanford.edu/china-briefs/h…